February 2014 mindful 45
four hospice houses that have sig ned up for the
program. Rochester has more two-bed hospice
homes than any other city in the U.S . Under state
law, hospice homes with only two beds are allowed
to operate as homes, not hospitals. Add another
bed and it becomes a legislated health-care facility,
and the cost per bed jumps from $100,000 a year
to $175,000 a year because of the need for full-
time nursing staff. T wo-bed hospice houses can
run with one director, volunteers who come on
two-person shifts from morning to night, a paid
nursing assistant who stays overnight, and an
on-call nurse who comes when needed, such as to
confirm a death.
The students sig n up for shifts—there’s no set
number they need to fulfill, but some become so
dedicated, they elect to put in hundreds of hours.
At that point, the classes at school become a forum
where the students can share and process their
experiences.
As she prepares to graduate, Carolyn Rumrill,
18, says she has learned to see the big picture: “At
this stage, we’re expected to figure out our lives—
where we’ll go to school next year. You need to do
well in extracurricular and academics, so it’s really
self-centered right now. This course moves you away
from that. It’s not all about you. There are many
aspects to life, so don’t freak out about every little
thing. I also feel like I’ve become more attuned to
listening instead of speaking.”
Kane asks his students who wants to do the
honors. “ I’ll light it,” says Ca rolyn as she reaches
for the candle sitting on the table in front of them.
The ca ndle is lit before every class. It reminds
them that life is as fragile as the flickering light. →
Clockwise from left:
Hospice class student
Carolyn Rumrill, 18,
says, “I’ve become
more attuned to
listening instead of
speaking.”
Student Kayli O’Keefe,
18, helps hospice
resident Wendy do
a word puzzle in the
daily newspaper. The
52-year-old former
speech pathologist
had frontal lobe
syndrome.
An earlier photo
of Wendy.
“At this stage, you’re expected to
figure out your life—where you’ll go
to school next year. And you need
to do well in extracurricular and
academics, so it’s really self-centered
right now. This course moves you
away from that. It’s not all about you.”
Hospice student Carolyn Rumrill